Five gym sessions a week, carefully planned meals – and, for one competitor, a little bit of cheating on the diet… Jersey’s bodybuilders are entering the final stretch before taking to the stage.
There are just over three weeks to go until local athletes return to the stage in the 2026 Channel Islands Wellness and Physique Competition.
Competitors will be judged on their muscular development, symmetry, stage presence and overall physique at the Jersey Opera House on Sunday 27 September.
In affiliation with the United Kingdom Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation, Bodyrox Gym gives contestants the chance to showcase their months of dedication, discipline and training.
Unique trophies, designed for the individual categories, are sponsored by many local companies. These are: JM Welding Ltd, Vibrant Jersey, Utendum AI, Tails Risk Management Solutions, Shaun Ryan Notary, Warm.je, Pound Magic, the Melting Pot, Bodyrestore Clinic and Hapi.
The event’s organisers, Richard O’Connor and Anita Othman, said preparations are going well, with athletes entering their “final stages of getting ready” ahead of the show.
This year, both old and new competitors will take on the challenge in a range of categories – from Women’s Bikini Open to Classic Physique – in celebration of their athleticism.
Previous winner for the Overall Women’s category, Hayley Burrows, is set to compete again in Wellness, after saying how she “thoroughly enjoyed” last year’s show, and would “do anything to relive it.”
She was “always aware” of the the competition, seeing it as something to work towards in the future. She explained how it wasn’t until last year she set herself the goal.
Newcomers Charlotte Bunyan and Adam Nash are amongst those set to compete in September, and after months of hard work, the day is fast approaching.
Set to compete in the Bikini Fitness category, Charlotte has upped her training sessions to five times a week, which have “slotted in quite easily” with normal life.
“I’ve been going to the gym for over 10 years now, and I’ve just taught myself more along the way and got more into it,” said Charlotte, “and competing’s never really been anything I’ve even considered until this year when Anita spoke to me about the competition and that I should give it a go.”
Another first-timer, competing in Classic Bodybuilding and Physique, Adam Nash, has always been into fitness, and began progressing his training properly in the last four years.
Previous participant, Debora Cardoso, will be taking part in the showcase again this year, competing in both the Bikini Open and Bikini Masters over 35 categories.
She explained how balancing her training and meal planning has been “quite hard” due to working between day and night shifts, but is nevertheless proud of herself.
“I’m very excited. I’ve got loads of family that support me through this whole time, so they’re all coming to see me,” said Debora, “and that’s a bit more pressure, but it’s great.”
Max Kucza is also set amongst those to compete again this year, and is looking most forward to having his friends and family there to support him on the day.
“The reason I’m competing is more because it gives me something to work towards. It’s something that gives me accountability,” he said.
“I’m not a very good bodybuilder on paper. I cheat on my diet constantly. There are a lot of people that try a lot harder than me, I’ve just been doing it a long time.”
As preparations ramp up ahead of the physique and wellness competition, these athletes will continue fine-tuning their routines ahead of the big day.
DON’T MISS…
Anyone who is interested in seeing these athletes flex their physiques can buy tickets for the competition via the Jersey Opera House website or here.
